The Top Books That Inspire Resistance and Social Change

We live in a world governed by norms. And growing up surrounded by these accepted ways of life has an impact on our own lives. Often, people learn to toe the line and do their best not to rock the boat, eager to maintain the status quo and not attract unwarranted attention. In fact, those who try to speak up against these norms are often shunned and incur penalties, whether social or economic, for going against the grain. But every once in a while, there comes about a brave soul who not only points out the gaps in these norms but also advocates for changes for a better future. And there is nothing we love as much as seeing people rise up against norms that do not serve the society as a whole. If you love books that focus on social uprisings, you will love our current list, which we are always expanding to include more brave voices.

Our Top Uprising-Focused Books

When we explore books that challenge our current systems, we get to walk in the shoes of those who have been marginalized by these same structures. We get to understand the effects of these social injustices, why the world is not as black-and-white as it seems, and why we must make sacrifices if we are to fight for equality in our world. We also get to understand that power structures, be they social or political, go deeper beyond the surface and have much deeper roots and effects than we may have earlier thought. Full-Page Poetry showcases such works that help us become more empathetic towards the plights of others and learn how to think critically while mustering the courage to rise up against these systems. Better yet, we learn that until all of us are free to enjoy our freedoms, then none of us are.

Here are the top books that revolve around such uprisings and why they continue to inspire people to date.

The Fire Next Time (Nonfiction) by James Baldwin

The Fire Next Time

This book, which is set in the twentieth century, explores the themes of race, religion, and identity in a world where racism continues to bar African Americans from accessing their basic human rights. In his writing, James calls on people to examine themselves, arguing that social change cannot take place unless people are willing to admit the role that they play in the racially unjust systems. He especially calls them to consider the cost of racism, with a particular focus on the psychological toll it takes on those affected, thus forcing readers to hold up a mirror to themselves and consider the effects of their complacency at a time of blatant systemic injustice.

1984 (Fiction) by George Orwell

1984

There is no denying that people in power often use information control as a way to maintain that power and keep other people from uncovering the truths about systemic injustices. This book explores the ins and outs of this control by delving into the themes of totalitarianism, surveillance, control of language, and truth. George shares insights with his readers about the root of all these forms of state oppression and guides them on how they can resist such systems. By empowering readers about the need for intellectual freedom, he frees them from blind trust and thus gives them the tools to maintain human liberty – these are the same tools that many human rights activists rely on in this digital age.

The Dispossessed (Fiction) by Ursula K. Le Guin

The Dispossessed

Have you ever pondered the best system of governance? Often, people pit systems against each other, arguing that one form is much better than the other. But in her book, Le Gain takes readers on a journey that makes them question the idea of a perfect system. By contrasting a hierarchical capitalist society with an anarchist one, she invites readers to take in the limits of our current systems and explore alternative structures. What would freedom actually look like? What would a good society look like? While this is a work of fiction, it shines a light on the reality of the failings of our current systems and pushes us to consider radical alternatives.

The Color Purple (Fiction) by Alice Walker

The Color Purple

Before a public uprising can take place, individuals have to go through a change of their own from within. This book takes readers on a personal journey of spiritual and emotional liberation surrounding the themes of racism, sexism, the patriarchy, spirituality, and the need for powerful personal connections. Readers get to see a woman come into her own as she painfully but deliberately fights against the systems that have been designed to oppress her, while relying on the support of other women. Her transformative story is one of hope, and one that showcases just how resilient humans can be, even in the face of oppression. What’s more, it shows that for us to play a part in bettering society, we have to start the work within ourselves, as our beliefs shape our attitudes and our actions.

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